The Columbus Board of Education continues its thorough, public-engaged approach to identifying candidates for the next Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools.

Nearly 2,000 voices - from students and families, teachers and staff, dedicated partners and service providers, and the community as a whole - provided insight on what characteristics and skills they would like to see in the District’s next leader.

“As a Board, we have pledged to have a public-engaged approach that will help us best identify and measure the essential qualities this community needs in a new superintendent,” said Board President Gary L Baker, II. “The community’s answers to our survey and input at several community meetings add to our thorough and thoughtful process to find the best candidate to serve the unique needs of our growing District.”

The Leadership Profile Assessment and Survey Report were prepared by the national search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), based on feedback provided by local Columbus individuals and groups in either interviews or focus group settings, as well as results of the online survey completed by stakeholders.

Using that input from Board members, parents, staff, students, and community, the search firm developed a Desired Characteristics Report that details the leadership characteristics expected in a strong educational leader.

The surveys, interviews, and focus group meetings were structured to gather input to assist the Board in determining the primary characteristics desired in the next superintendent. Additionally, the stakeholder interviews and focus groups collected information regarding the strengths of the District and some of the challenges that it will be facing in the coming years.

“It should be noted that there was a tremendous response to the online survey for a district like Columbus, and that the resulting data is quite consistent with the input received from the interviews and focus groups,” reported the search firm.

More than a quarter of the survey respondents were parent/family members. Community members represented nearly 20% of all respondents.

Current Superintendent/CEO Dr. Dan Good announced in August that he would be retiring at the end of December.